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| Bicycles of the city's bike-sharing system "Ttareungi" are parked at a station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
This is the first in a two-part review on Seoul City's bicycle-sharing system. — ED.
Infrastructure needs improvement
By Kim Bo-eun
Citizens riding green and white bikes have become increasingly visible in the city these days. The bicycles belong to the bike-sharing system, "Ttareungyi," introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) last October. In 10 months, over 100,000 citizens have signed up for membership, and there are currently around 400 bike stations throughout the city.
The system was introduced to reduce vehicles on the road, easing traffic and reducing pollution. Many citizens have started using the system; and while it offers various benefits, infrastructural limits currently pose inconveniences and risks on the road.
If you are a first time user, it is a good idea to log onto the page at www.bikeseoul.com, sign up for the system and purchase a ticket before heading out, unless you want to stand at the station fumbling with your phone.
When you sign up, you submit data such as a rental password and your credit card number, which will make future rentals more convenient. You can purchase a ticket with your credit card, check the nearest station on the website and finish the rental process there. Once you are at the site, you can rent any bike stationed there, by entering the bike's serial number on the mobile website or Ttareungi app via your phone. English instructions are available on the English site.
A one-time bike ride is limited to two hours and is appropriate for riding distances of around 3 kilometers, which takes around 30 minutes. Renters can return their bikes to any station close to their destination.
You can rent the bikes through your phone on the website or on the Ttareungi app, but iPhone users, unfortunately, are not able to download the app because Apple's personal detail collection policy is not compatible with it. iPhone users, therefore, can log into the system only via the website, which exempts them from services such as purchasing group tickets or using the QR code.
Since Seoul has not been a bicycle-friendly city, bike riders may not feel safe on the roads for much of the time. Some areas in Seoul, such as Hongdae and Sinchon where bike stations are concentrated, have bicycle-only roads or a "bicycle-first lane" painted on the right side of main roads. It is better having the lanes than not, but as buses and taxis often stop on the right side of the roads at the convenience of their passengers, less audacious riders may feel uneasy when vehicles follow them from behind or stop in front of them. Other areas do not have such separated lanes, posing more risks for riders.
Perhaps due to the lack of infrastructure, many bike riders stay on pedestrian sidewalks, which is against regulations and can also be dangerous. The lack of awareness of cycling safety is also a notable problem.
The SMG has put up safety guidelines on the instruction board at the stations and on the website, and has carried out campaigns to raise safety awareness. But perhaps it would be more effective to send text messages containing the guidelines to citizens when they rent the bikes.
Yet there have been no major accidents so far.
"We have had a total of 13 accidents in the past year and almost all of them involved the rider alone," said Lee Jeong-seop, an official in charge of the bike system at SMG. In only one case, a rider crashed into a parked vehicle, he said.
Following concerns over possible accidents and insurance coverage, the city government Monday started covering injuries sustained from single bike accidents. Previously, for single bike accidents unrelated to the fault of the bike, only limited coverage was available for the fatality, post-accident disorders and hospitalization of the rider, and injuries and property damage to others caused by the accidents.
In the meantime, the city aims to have 450 stations and 5,600 bikes in operation by the end of the year.
"Around 10,000 people use the bike system daily, both for short-distance travel and leisure, and we expect the number to increase," Lee said.
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